GLOBAL

WARMING
Introduction
Global warming is becoming a serious concern for all inhabitants of the planet Earth.
Gradually over the years, our climate has been warming up. For those of us who live
in the Northern Hemisphere, our first reaction might be "That's okay with me. Our
summers are too short anyway". However, even a minor change in the Earth's
temperature of only a few degrees will result in dramatic changes to our climate.
During the last Ice Age when most of the Northern Hemisphere was covered in
glaciers, the average temperature of our planet was only 2 to 3 degrees Celius colder
than what it is today. Doesn't sound like much, but the result was that much of
Canada was covered in ice up to a few kilometers in depth.
So imagine what could happen if our average temperature was to rise by a couple of
degrees Celius!

The Task
As part of a top secret research project on global warming, you and three other
scientists have agreed to investigate the effects that global warming has had on the
Earth now and in the future. All the information you study will be reflected on a
power point presentation.

The Process
You and your team will be responsible for creating a "Report on Global Warming". You
will explain what Global Warming is and what are its causes, what the consequences
of global warming are, and what can be done about it now that we can "change the
future" to insure that it won't become a problem.
1. Get together with the other members of your group and decide who is going to
assume the following tasks. Do some "brainstorming" on global warming in order
to come up with ideas for the focus of your report. Develop a plan of action
to determine the organization, contents, and "look" of your report. Know your
main objectives and devise an outline of all the information your report will
contain. While you are responsible for completing your section of the report,
you will also be responsible for making sure that finished report is well written
and flows smoothly.

What is Global Warming and what are its causes?

What are the consequences of Global Warming if nothing is done about it now?
What can we do to make sure that Global Warming doesn't become a disaster
for the future?
2. Using the Internet resources listed on the Resources section; begin to
research your task. As you research, let your partners know if you find
something that will help them.
3. Meet with your partners regularly and share what you have discovered.
4. You are required to use at least three different sources of information in the
development of the report. Your sources of information on Global warming do
not have to be limited to online resources. In addition to online resources, you
may use books, encyclopedias, cd room disks, newspapers etc. Make sure that
you write down the name of the source or internet page from which you get
your information.
5. Using Open Office Impress, begin to write the report. Keep in mind that the
first part of your report will introduce the reader to the problem of global
warming and its causes. The second part of the report will describe the
effects of global warming, and the third part will describe what we can do to
solve this problem.
6. After having researched and written your report on global warming, you should
have a much clearer idea of the problems caused by this phenomenon.

Resources
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/air/global.htm
http://globalwarmingkids.net/
http://www.icbe.com/carbonforkids/
http://www.climatehotmap.org/namerica.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://www.latinocoalitiononclimatechange.org/issues/what/
http://www.greatestplanet.org/global-warming-explained.html
http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/kidspage.cfm

Evaluation

Two evaluation forms have been developed to assist in the evaluation of learning
during this inquiry based project.
-

The first form, the Evaluation Rubric, lists the objectives of this Webquest
and shows how your work will be assessed:

Introduction/
Causes

No information
given as to
what to expect
in the report.

Some
information given
as to what to
expect in the
report

Adequate
information
given so that
the reader is
aware of who
and what the
report is about

A very concise
introduction which
shows that the
writer
is
very
aware
of
the
reader

Effects

Does not
explain any of
the effects of
global warming.

Explains some of
the effects of
global warming

Explains many
of the effects
of
global
warming

Explains many of
the effects of
global warming
which shows a
clear
understanding of
the problem.

Solutions

Offers
solutions

Offers some
solutions.

Offers
solutions

many

Offers
many
solutions
and
shows
a
real
concern for solving
the issue

Research
&
Gather
Information

Does not
collect any
information
that relates to
the topic.

Collects very
little
information-some relates to
the topic.

Collects some
basic
information-most relates to
the topic.

Collects a great
deal
of
information--all
relates to the
topic

Fulfill Team
Role's Duties

Does not
perform any
duties of
assigned team
role

Performs very
little duties

Performs
nearly all
duties.

Performs all duties

of assigned team
role.

Conventions
of Print

Very frequent
grammar and
spelling errors
which makes
the writing

Frequent
grammar and
spelling errors
which make the
writing difficult

Grammar and
spelling errors
do not detract
from
understanding

Grammar and
spelling errors are
infrequent, and
writing is clear.

no

impossible to
understand

to understand.

the writing

The second form shows what you think about your project:

Name: _____________________________________________________
EVALUATION
Evaluation:

Rubric

Marks

Introduction/Causes

1 2 3 4

/20

Effects/Solutions

1 2 3 4

/20

Research / Information Gathering

1 2 3 4

/20

Fulling team role

1 2 3 4

/20

Conventions of Print

1 2 3 4

/20

Total:

1 2 3 4

/100

Student Assessment Sheet

Did your sources give you enough information about global warming?
___________________________________________________________________
List three sources that you used and briefly explain what specific information you found in
each.
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
How well did you introduce global warming?
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Did you explain the causes of global warming?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Did your report explain what solutions could be found to solve the problem of global
warming?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What was one important idea that you wanted to get across to your readers about global
warming? Why do you think they would get it?
___________________________________________________________________
___
Did you use proper grammar and vocabulary?

Improvements for next time:

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________